Switch and signal track-trip.



No. 800,446. PATENTED SEPT. 26, 1905. G. M. HURS'I'. SWITCH AND SIGNALTRACK TRIP.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 15,1904.

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G. M. HURST. SWITCH AND SIGNAL TRACK TRIP. APPLICATION FILED0OT.15,1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE.

SWITCH AND SIGNAL TRACK-TRIP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 26, 1905.

Application filed October 15, 1904. Serial No. 228,627.

and signals by an appurtenance of a passing train. As ordinarilyconstructed they are secured to the cross-ties of the track near therail in a position to be operated by a suitable shoe attached,preferably, to the journal-box of the engine or one of the cars and areconnected to the switch or signal to be changed by a thrust-rod orcable, as circumstances may requn-e.

The object of the invention is to provide a trip having a gradual butpositive tripping action without the complication of accessory parts.

The invention consists, broadly, in an apron inclined toward one or bothits ends, joined to a fixture of the track by parallel links, and acrank-arm for attachment of the member connecting the device with theswitch, rotated from the parallel links by means of a tie-rod from each.

The invention also consists in further details of construction to behereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure 1 is adetail plan of a railway-track, showing my tripping device mounted uponthe cross-ties. Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sections on the lines 2 2 and3 3, respectively, of Fig. 1. In Fig. 3 is also shown a detail of apassing car provided with an attachment for operating the trip. Fig. 4:is a detail vertical section on the line 4 1 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a planview of a modified form of construction. Fig. 6 is a detail longitudinalsection on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an end view of the device,showing the track in cross-section; and Fig. 8 is a sectional view onthe line 8 8 of Fig. 5.

At 10 are shown the cross-ties of a railwaytrack, and at 11 a sleeperextending over and firmly secured to several of these and placed,preferably, outside the rail 12. An angle-bar or chair 13 is secured tothe sleeper 11, and to this is attached a pair of brackets 1A 14, ex-

tending inwardly over the vertical leg of the angle-bar. An apron 15,formed of a commercial rolled shape, having a web and flange and beingpreferably of angle or T section, is connected to the brackets 1 1 14 bymeans of a pair of parallel links 16 16 pivoted in the brackets and inthe web of the apron 15 adjacent its ends.

A tension-rod 17 has a sliding bearing in each of the parallel links 16,movement in one direction of the links being imparted to the tension-rodby means of a nut 18, adjustablyplaced on the rod. These tension-rodsextend inwardly and are jointed to a crankarm 19, which has a pivotalsupport in asuitable chair 20, preferably of cast metal and bolted tothe sleeper 11, which is gained out, as shown at 21, to allow freemovement of the crank-arm,

The points of attachment of the tension-rod 17 in the crank-arm 19 areso disposed to the center about which the latter turns that tension oneither rod rotates the crank-arm in the same direction. The crank-arm 19has one end 22 longer than the other,-and to this end is attachedasuitable cable or push-rod 23, leading to the switch or signalmechanism to be operated.

The apron 15 is bent near its middle, so as to present a gently andsymmetrically inclined surface along the track in either direction andso as to be advanced and depressed by the ac-.

tion of an appurtenance of a passing train, such as a shoe 24, supportedfrom the journal-box 25- of a car.

Considering now Fig. 1, a train approaching from the right would swingthe apron 15 to its dotted-lines position, and the resultant rotation ofthe parallel links 16 would by pulling on the tension-rod 17 at the leftrotate the crank-arm 19 to the dotted-lines position of Fig. 2, in whichposition it would remain until the switch or signal was restored to itsoriginal position by a duplication of this construction at any otherpoint of the track or by other means. During the swinging of the apronjust described the tension-rod 17 on the right would slide through itsbearing in the link 16.

A swinging of the apron 15 to the right, (considering Fig. 1 again,)caused by a train approaching from the left, would pull on thetension-rod at the right, the one on the left merely sliding through itsbearing in thelink 16. This motion would, however, rotate the crank-arm19 in the same direction as before of the brackets, as 35. .as pivotedto one of the plates, as 28, and a and to the same position, so that thesame effect would be produced upon the switch or signal mechanism.

A spring is employed to retain the apron 15 in its midposition, and, asshown, this consists in a pair of coiled springs 26, having a fixedattachment in the sleeper 11 and having their free ends applied to theparallel links 16. A short curved sectional angledoar 27 is employed ateither end to support the free end of the parallel link 16.

\Vhile the means of connection between the arm 19 and the links 16 isshown as consisting of a rigid link adapted to apply tensional strainsonly, it is obvious that any connection which will yield in onedirection and transmit strain from the link 16 to the arm 19 in theopposite direction will come within the scope of the invention.

W'hile the apron is shown as movable in horizontal plane, it is notessential that it occupy that position.

In the construction shown in Figs. 5 to 8 the apron is shown as movablein a vertical position. These figures show as a further modification anapron intended for use by trains moving in one direction only.

The device is carried by a pair of parallel plates 28 29, resting uponthe outer ends of the track-ties and alongside of one of the rails,(shown at 30.) The apron 31 is of the same general form as the apron 15;but its apex is nearer one end than the other. It is sup ported upon apair of parallel links 32 33, pivoted in brackets 34 35, secured to theplates 28 29, and these brackets are normally supported in a verticalposition by the action of a spring 36, applied in any suitable mannerasshown, leading from one arm of the lever 19 to one The lever 19 is shownsingle link 37 is pivotally attached to one end of the lever and to theapron 31. A cable or rod 38 leads from the opposite end of the lever 19to the switch or signal device intended to be operated.

Acar-whecl is shown at X as running on the rail 30, and projecting froma bracket secured to the journal-box 25 is a shoe 39, adapted to engagethe apron 31 and bear it downwardly. This form of shoe may be used inconnection with a double-acting apron, such as shown in Fig. 1, as wellas with a single-acting apron 31, in connection with which it is shown,and it will be understood that any form of shoe applicable to theengagement of trip mechanisms of this type may be employed.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a track-trip, in combination, anoscillatable apron, a swinging arm, links attached to the arm onopposite sides of its pivot and to opposite ends of the apron, each linkbeing free to slide upon the apron in one direction.

2. Ina track-trip, in combination, an oscillatable apron. a swingingarm, and tensionlinks connecting opposite ends of the apron with the armupon opposite sides of the pivot of the latter.

3. In a track-trip, in combination, an oscil latable apron, a swingingarm, links connecting opposite ends of the arm with opposite ends of theapron and being yieldable relatively to the apron in one direction ofits movement.

I. In a track-trip, in combination, an arch form of apron, oscillatablelinks supporting the apron, a swinging arm, links pivoted to oppositeends of the arm and each in sliding engagement with one of thesupporting-links, and a stop applied to each connecting-link andlimiting its movement in one direction relatively to thesupporting-link.

5. In a track-trip, in combination, an apron, a bed-plate, swinginglinks pivoted to the bedplate supporting the apron, a swinging armpivoted to the bed-plate, a rod connecting the arm with one of the linksand having a sliding bearing in the link, and a stop to limit itssliding movement in one direction.

6. In a tracletrip, in combination, an oscillatable apron, a swinginglever, and a tensionlink leading from each end of the apron to the leverand being attached thereto on opposite sides of its pivot.

CHARLES M. HURST.

Witnesses:

J. FRED HURST, HENRY BRoDnR.

